It’s hard not to feel a little excited when a beloved show from the past makes a comeback. Roseanne’s reboot, with its all-too-familiar characters and classic humor, certainly delivered the laughs I expected. When the familiar theme song started playing and the Conner family reunited, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia. For a moment, it felt like we’d been transported back to simpler times, to the couch where Roseanne and Dan shared their hilarious, dysfunctional family moments. But here’s the thing: while the Roseanne reboot is undeniably funny, I don’t think I’m going to keep watching.
The first episode did exactly what it needed to do. It brought the humor, the charm, and that signature blend of sharp wit and heart that made the original show so great. The Conner family, now older and dealing with different struggles, still felt like the same old bunch. Roseanne’s brashness and Dan’s quiet wisdom were just as comforting as I remembered. Even the new faces—like Becky, who’s now struggling with her own life choices—fit seamlessly into the fold.
But here’s the problem: for all the laughs, the reboot feels like it’s playing it too safe. The characters haven’t evolved much, and the show seems to rely heavily on nostalgia rather than pushing the envelope. We’ve seen these dynamics before—Roseanne’s snarky humor, Dan’s lovable but clueless dad routine, and the endless family squabbles. It’s comforting, sure, but it also feels a little tired. While it’s fun to return to the Conner household for a brief moment, the spark that made the original Roseanne groundbreaking isn’t fully there.
What’s more, there’s a certain air of predictability to the reboot. While the original series touched on relevant, sometimes controversial topics—like working-class struggles, political differences, and the challenges of family life—the reboot feels like it’s merely skating on the surface of those issues without diving in deep. It’s as if the show is trying to be edgy but is too afraid to commit. In an era where TV is bold and pushes boundaries, Roseanne’s revival doesn’t feel as daring as it once did.
Let’s not forget the larger context surrounding the show’s return. Roseanne Barr, the star of the original series, is no longer the same figure she was back in the ’90s. The controversies surrounding her real-life actions and comments have cast a shadow over the show’s revival. Though the show attempts to address this with subtle references to the character’s past, it can’t fully escape the baggage that comes with it. It’s hard to fully embrace the revival without thinking about the tumultuous road that led to it.
Ultimately, while the Roseanne reboot is funny, and while I enjoyed the brief reunion with the Conners, I’m just not sure it has enough to keep me hooked. For all the nostalgia and comedic charm, the show doesn’t feel fresh or innovative enough to make it a must-watch. I’ll cherish the laughs I got from the first episode, but I’ll move on to something that feels a bit more daring, something that pushes me to keep watching. Sometimes, it’s better to leave the past where it belongs.
